[BUG] Claude Desktop crashes immediately on startup after recent update — Windows 10, no logs generated

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

Claude Desktop crashes immediately on startup after a recent update that changed the UI layout. No window is ever displayed and no logs are generated.

What Should Happen?

Claude Desktop should launch and display the main window after installation. No crushing

Error Messages/Logs

ClaudeSetup.log key entries:
- WARNING: CoworkVMService already exists (potential conflict)
- WARNING: failed to remove conflicting service: could not open CoworkVMService: Access is denied.
- WARNING: Remove failed for Claude_1.2581.0.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc: RemovePackage failed with HRESULT 0x80073CFA
- MSIX installation failed: AddPackage failed with HRESULT 0x80073CF6
- ERROR: Administrator access is required to install Claude with full features. You can try again or install without Cowork. (no "install without Cowork" button visible — only OK)

Steps to Reproduce

1. Download Claude Setup.exe from claude.ai/download
2. Run installer — completes with exit code 0 (success)
3. Claude Desktop launches via explorer.exe shell:AppsFolder\Claude_pzs8sxrjxfjjc!Claude
4. App crashes immediately — no window renders, no logs written

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.92

Platform

Other

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

PowerShell

Additional Information

Troubleshooting performed:

• Uninstalled and reinstalled Claude Desktop multiple times
• Get-AppxPackage Claude | Remove-AppxPackage
• Get-AppxProvisionedPackage removed
• sc.exe stop/delete CoworkVMService (service not found)
• Cleared all app data folders
• Event Viewer — no Claude entries
• %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Claude_pzs8sxrjxfjjc\LocalCache\Roaming\Claude\logs\ — folder does not exist, app crashes before writing any logs
• Get-WinEvent Event ID 1000 — no Claude entries
• Multiple reboots between attempts